Tag: raja uda

Butterworth Raja Uda: Tow Boo Kong Temple (Nine Emperor Gods)

The Nine Emperor Gods Festival (九皇爷诞) returned to Penang from 10 to 18 October 2026, bringing nine days of Taoist religious ceremonies, temple processions and vegetarian food stalls across the state. Devotees observe a strict vegetarian diet, often wearing white, while temples fill with the sounds of chanting, drums and prayers to honour the Nine Emperor Gods.

One of the main centres of celebration is Tow Boo Kong Temple in Butterworth, where the festivities culminate in a ceremonial procession to send the deities back to the sea. During the annual Nine Emperor Gods Festival, the temple comes alive with religious ceremonies, processions and vegetarian food stalls. Its illuminated decorations and vibrant festive atmosphere make it a worthwhile stop for visitors exploring Penang’s Chinese religious traditions and cultural heritage.

The festival’s origins are linked to ancient Chinese beliefs surrounding the nine stars of the Northern Dipper, although different communities preserve their own versions of the legend. One popular account tells of the Nine Emperor Gods descending from the heavens to bless devotees with protection, peace and good fortune. For visitors, this annual celebration offers a fascinating opportunity to experience Penang’s living Chinese religious traditions and sample the wide variety of vegetarian dishes available at stalls marked by yellow flags.

Tow Boo Kong Temple, Raja Uda, Butterworth, is a prominent temple dedicated to the Nine Emperor Gods, known for its ornate architecture, colourful murals, intricate dragon carvings and impressive prayer halls. During the annual Nine Emperor Gods Festival, the temple comes alive with religious ceremonies, processions and vegetarian food stalls. Its illuminated decorations and vibrant festive atmosphere make it a worthwhile stop for visitors exploring Penang’s Chinese religious traditions and cultural heritage.

Raja Uda (Butterworth) CNY Lanterns Street

Raja Uda (Butterworth) is Penang’s well-known CNY “lantern street,” with thousands of red lanterns spanning roughly a few kilometers and best enjoyed after nightfall. At night, the lanterns form a continuous red canopy that’s become a major “check-in” / photo spot in the area. It’s also a long-running local tradition that has been done annually (with pauses during the pandemic period). The lit-up stretch runs from the south junction of Jalan Telaga Air through Jalan Raja Uda.

The Nine Emperor Gods Festival

The Nine Emperor Gods Festival is a major Taoist celebration held during the ninth lunar month, honoring nine deities believed to control the movements of planets and bring good fortune. In Penang, especially at temples like Tow Boo Kong in Raja Uda, the festival is marked by vibrant rituals, long processions, vegetarian food offerings, and the lighting of massive incense sticks. Devotees often observe a nine-day vegetarian diet as an act of purification and devotion. The celebration is both spiritual and cultural, filling the streets with color, music, and prayers.

The Nine Emperor Gods Festival is steeped in legend and ancient Chinese cosmology. According to Taoist belief, the Nine Emperor Gods (known as Jiuhuang Dadi) are celestial beings representing the nine sons of Dou Mu, the Goddess of the North Star, who governs the universe and controls the life and death of mortals.

One of the most popular legends tells that the festival originated during China’s Qing Dynasty, when a secret society of devotees prayed to the Nine Emperors for protection against oppression. When the prayers were answered, the people began holding annual rituals to honor the gods.

During the festival, devotees welcome the gods on the eve of the ninth lunar month with a ceremonial procession to the sea or river, believed to be the portal through which the deities descend to Earth. After nine days of prayers, offerings, and vegetarian observance, the gods are sent back to the heavens through another water procession.

Penang Street Art (Nafir’s Butterfly Art Mural)

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Located nearby the large art mural of Sabek in Raja Uda Road in Butterworth, this large patternal mural was painted by an Iranian street artist who goes by the name Nafir. This beautiful art work features a ‘3D’ butterfly amidst the elaborate pattern. It was also painted in conjunction with the Urban Xchange street art festival 2015 held in Penang.

For this street art location, please click HERE.

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Penang Street Art (Sabek’s Art Mural)

Urban Xchange

This large wall art mural was painted by Sabek, a Spanish artist who came to Penang again, this time for the Urban Xchange 2015 street art festival in Penang. This new mural was painted to replace the original mural which was also done by Sabek. This mural can be found at Jalan Raja Uda (or Raja Uda Road) in Butterworth, Penang.

For this street art location, please click HERE.

Penang Street Art Map (Part 12 – Raja Uda Street Art Murals)

UPDATED – November 2015.

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You may click the image above for a larger size and clearer view.

The area map of Raja Uda Road (or Jalan Raja Uda). Raja Uda is one of the major roads of Butterworth, Penang and is popular for the many eateries, shops and houses lining along the long road.

Recently, the road is also the host to several large street art murals;

Giant Abstract Mural by Sabek

Abstract Patterned Butterfly by Nafir

The Man and the Turtles by Martin Ron.

For other street art locations, please click HERE.

Butterworth: Raja Uda Street View

Raja Uda

Raja Uda

Raja Uda

Raja Uda Road is one of the major roads of Butterworth, Penang and is popular for the many eateries, shops and houses lining along the long road. This long road was named after the Raja Tun Sir Uda Al-Haj bin Raja Muhammad, a Selangor sultanate royal member who reportedly served as the first post-independence Governor of Penang, from 31 August 1957 until 30 August 1967.

Penang Street Art (Raja Uda Giant Mural by Martin Ron)

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Another giant mural found in Raja Uda, Butterworth. This mural was painted by Martin Ron in May and depicts a man (a friend of the artist) seated with turtles floating around. Located behind a row of shoplots across the road from Sabek’s mural, this giant mural was also drawn in conjunction with the Different Strokes street art exhibition.

For its location, please go here; Raja Uda Street Art Murals Location Map.